E1017 Heavy Duty Shock Absorber HCPCS Reimbursement | OpenPayer

Summary & Overview

HCPCS E1017: Heavy Duty Shock Absorber for Manual Wheelchair

HCPCS Level II code E1017 denotes a heavy duty shock absorber intended for heavy duty or extra heavy duty manual wheelchairs. This component supports wheelchair suspension and durability for larger or more active users, making it important for mobility, user comfort, and device longevity. Nationally, reimbursement and coverage for DME components like shock absorbers affect access to appropriate mobility equipment and can influence repair versus replacement decisions.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of coverage considerations, common billing practice notes, and where benchmarks and policy updates typically apply for HCPCS Level II DME component codes. The publication also situates E1017 within clinical context—how the part is used in wheelchair maintenance—and outlines the typical sites of service where this item is supplied or installed.

The report provides benchmarks for utilization and payment trends where available, highlights policy updates that affect DME component billing, and summarizes documentation and coding considerations relevant to suppliers and billing staff. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicareE1017HCPCS Level IIdurable medical equipmentwheelchair componentsmobility aidsDME billingequipment repair

Billing Code Overview

HCPCS Level II code E1017 describes a heavy duty shock absorber for heavy duty or extra heavy duty manual wheelchair, each. This supply is intended as a component replacement or upgrade for manual wheelchairs designed for heavier users or for applications requiring reinforced suspension.

Service type: Durable medical equipment component replacement/repair
Typical site of service: Outpatient equipment supplier, mobility device repair shop, or home delivery and installation by a durable medical equipment supplier

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 68-year-old male veteran with long-standing post-polio residual weakness uses an extra heavy duty manual wheelchair. During a routine maintenance visit at a durable medical equipment (DME) supplier, the technician identifies a failed or worn shock absorber on the wheelchair's frame that is causing excessive vibration and reduced ride stability. The DME technician documents the wheelchair make/model and confirms that a heavy duty shock absorber is required for the heavy-duty/extra heavy-duty wheelchair specification. The supplier orders and installs a replacement shock absorber billed as E1017 (heavy duty shock absorber for heavy duty or extra heavy duty manual wheelchair, each). The clinical workflow includes verification of patient eligibility and mobility needs, validation of the wheelchair classification (heavy duty or extra heavy duty), obtaining any required prior authorization from the patient’s payor, documenting the wheelchair serial number and defect, performing the component replacement, and creating a delivery/installation note and invoice for the DME supplier and payor adjudication.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`59`	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.

HCPCS E2506: Speech Generating Device, Digitized Speech >40 Minutes

HCPCS-E1702-REPLACEMENT-MEASURING-SCALES-JAW-REHABILITATION

HCPCS Level II E1702: Replacement Measuring Scales for Jaw Rehabilitation

HCPCS-E0244-RAISED-TOILET-SEAT-DURABLE-MEDICAL-EQUIPMENT

HCPCS E0244: Raised Toilet Seat

HCPCS-E0246-TRANSFER-TUB-RAIL-ATTACHMENT

HCPCS E0246: Transfer Tub Rail Attachment

HCPCS-E0197-AIR-PRESSURE-PAD-STANDARD-MATTRESS

HCPCS E0197: Air Pressure Pad for Standard Mattress

HCPCS-E0303-HEAVY-DUTY-EXTRA-WIDE-HOSPITAL-BED-350-600-LB-CAPACITY

HCPCS E0303: Heavy-Duty Extra-Wide Hospital Bed with Mattress

HCPCS-E2397-LITHIUM-BATTERY-POWER-WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSORY

HCPCS Level II E2397: Power Wheelchair Accessory, Lithium Battery

HCPCS-E0255-VARIABLE-HEIGHT-HI-LO-HOSPITAL-BED-WITH-MATTRESS

HCPCS Level II E0255: Variable-Height Hi-Lo Hospital Bed with Mattress

HCPCS-E2364-POWER-WHEELCHAIR-U1-LEAD-ACID-BATTERY

HCPCS E2364: Power Wheelchair U-1 Non-Sealed Lead Acid Battery, Each

HCPCS-E0604-HOSPITAL-GRADE-ELECTRIC-BREAST-PUMP

HCPCS E0604: Hospital-Grade Electric Breast Pump

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Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`333800000X`	Orthotic and Prosthetic Services	DME suppliers and orthotists who fit and repair wheelchairs commonly perform component replacements.
`333600000X`	Assistive Technology Services	Providers specializing in wheelchair seating and mobility systems handle shock absorber specification and installation.
`261QM0800X`	Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation	Physiatrists assess mobility needs and may certify medical necessity for heavy-duty wheelchair components.
`207L00000X`	Physical Therapy	Physical therapists conduct functional mobility assessments and recommend equipment upgrades or repairs.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`M62.81`	Muscle weakness (generalized)	Muscle weakness can necessitate heavy-duty wheelchairs and lead to increased stress on suspension components requiring heavy duty shock absorbers.
`G14`	Postpolio syndrome	Postpolio patients often require heavy or extra heavy duty manual wheelchairs; shock absorber replacement restores safe mobility.
`G82.50`	Paraplegia, unspecified	Long-term wheelchair use with high weight loads and repetitive stress can require heavy-duty components and periodic replacements.
`M16.9`	Osteoarthritis of hip, unspecified	Severe lower extremity arthritis may increase reliance on manual wheelchairs and contribute to need for robust shock absorption.
`Z96.641`	Presence of right artificial hip joint	Presence of joint replacements correlates with mobility-limiting conditions where heavy-duty wheelchairs are used and maintained.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`97760`	Orthotic management and training, initial encounter	Often performed when a new heavy-duty component changes wheelchair function and requires patient training and documentation.
`97542`	Wheelchair management (e.g., assessment, fitting)	Performed during assessment that identifies need for component replacement or upgrade.
`99070`	Supplies and materials (over and above those usually included)	Used by suppliers to bill for additional non-coded supplies or small hardware parts associated with the shock absorber replacement.
`99080`	Data not available in the input.	Data not available in the input.
`A9270`	Non-covered item or service — description required	Used when payors deny coverage and the supplier bills patient for non-covered replacement parts; presented here as a common billing adjunct.

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